City Council hears public concerns about data center expansion in Hillsboro
Hillsboro residents voiced concerns about data center expansion at a City Council work session, focusing on water usage and job creation. Officials shared that data centers use a small percentage of the city's annual water demand, primarily for drinking and other uses, not cooling. Public comments also questioned the city's approach to these developments.
Hillsboro, Oregon residents expressed significant concerns regarding data center expansion during a recent City Council work session. The public forum highlighted anxieties about water consumption and the perceived lack of local job creation from these facilities.
Niki Iverson, director of the Hillsboro water department, informed the council that data centers in the city account for approximately 1.8% of the annual water demand, primarily for drinking and other purposes, not for cooling, as these facilities typically use ambient air cooling. Despite this, residents voiced skepticism, with one commenting on the "lights out operations" of data centers and another criticizing the city's development approach. Additionally, agenda documents revealed that data centers in the Portland General Electric service area consumed about 13% of all energy deliveries last year, though PGE stated these costs are directed at large energy users, not average customers.
The discussion at the work session about power usage was postponed to a future date, indicating ongoing dialogue on the topic.